Sean Maloney
The best in primetime television programming will be honored on September 19, when the 73rd edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards takes place at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Among the most highly anticipated awards presented at the Emmys include honors for Best Drama Series, Best Comedy Series, and Best Limited Series. Netflix dominates the nominations with a pair of favorites. “The Crown” leads the way as the favorite to be named Best Drama Series, while “The Queen’s Gambit” is a strong bet to get the nod as Best Limited Series. Apple TV+ has just one nominee among the three key categories but has made it count, with the critically acclaimed “Ted Lasso” sitting as massive chalk to be named Best Comedy Series
MyTopSportsbooks takes a look at all the favorites and the best bets at the sportsbooks as the countdown continues towards the biggest night on television. Sports bettors getting in on Entertainment betting action for the first time should refer to our betting guide for tips on how to hone their betting strategies.
| Emmy Awards 2021 - Best Drama Series |  |  |  |  |
| The Crown | -1200 | -1200 | -1000 | -1000 |
| The Handmaid's Tale | +700 | +700 | +600 | +600 |
| Bridgerton | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Pose | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| The Boys | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| The Mandalorian | +1400 | +1400 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Lovecraft Country | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| This is Us | +2500 | +2500 | +2000 | +2000 |
“The Crown” Poised to Dominate Best Drama Series
Few observers were surprised when The Crown once again received a nomination as Best Drama Series. The big-budget Netflix series has received dozens of nominations through its first three seasons. And this year is no different, with the historical drama about the reign of the current British monarch Queen Elizabeth II picking up 24 nominations.
‘The Crown,’ ‘Mandalorian’ top Emmy nominations with 24 each (from @AP) https://t.co/VtrJh746ZX
— Dean Edwards (@ekoskaiphos) July 14, 2021
Not surprisingly, The Crown has rocketed to the top of the odds as the favorite to finally break through and win the award for Best Drama Series, with odds as short as -1200 at BetOnline. That makes the task of finding betting value in this category particularly difficult. “The Handmaid’s Tale” represents the closest competition, pegged as a lucrative +700 second-favorite at BetUS. However, a change in the political currents in the US, along with wide-ranging concerns over the direction of the show’s storyline has weakened the show’s chances of bringing home the hardware.
#WandaVision, #TheBoys, and #FalconAndWinterSoldier prove that comic book shows can compete with the rest of TV’s best. https://t.co/4yFfoUxVbT
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) July 20, 2021
For sports bettors insisting on taking a longshot in this category, they should look no further than “The Boys”, which lags a +1400 bet. The Prime Video production, which tells the story of a group of powerful, but deeply flawed superheroes, emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2020. That popularity has already translated into awards season success, with The Boys picking up four awards at this year’s Critics’ Choice Super Awards, and receiving a nomination as Best Dramatic Series at the upcoming Writers Guild of America Awards.
The Pick: The Crown (-1200)
| Emmy Awards 2021 - Best Comedy Series | | | | |
| Ted Lasso | -1500 | -1500 | -1200 | -1200 |
| Hacks | +700 | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| The Flight Attendant | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Pen15 | +1400 | +1400 | +1500 | +1500 |
| The Kominsky Method | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Black-ish | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Cobra Kai | +2500 | +2500 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Emily in Paris | +3300 | +3300 | +2500 | +2500 |
“Ted Lasso” Untouchable on Best Comedy Series Odds
It is a similar situation in the race for Best Comedy Series, with Ted Lasso leading the way as a runaway favorite, sporting -1200 odds at XBet. The story of an American football coach taking over the coaching reins of a British soccer team has already emerged as the most popular show in Apple TV+’s short history. That success has rubbed off on the show’s star Jason Sudeikis, who is perched as massive -2000 chalk to take home honors as Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
‘Ted Lasso’ Jumps To No.1 Most Watched Program On Apple TV+ Following Record Emmy Nominations https://t.co/uuDGvjW3Hh
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 21, 2021
However, value can be still be found among the comedy odds. Formerly the star of the smash hit “The Big Bang Theory”, Kaley Cuoco turned heads with her portrayal of reckless, hard-drinking, party girl in “The Flight Attendant”. While the HBO show is unlikely to surprise as a +1000 longshot to win Best Comedy honors, Cuoco’s departure from her familiar role as Penny in The Big bang Theory has made her worthy of consideration as a +450 bet at BetOnline to claim Best Actress in a Comedy Series honors.
The Pick: Ted Lasso (-2000)
| Emmy Awards 2021 - Best Limited Series | | | | |
| The Queen's Gambit | +125 | +125 | +110 | +110 |
| Mare of Easttown | +175 | +175 | +140 | +140 |
| I May Destroy You | +275 | +275 | +300 | +300 |
| WandaVision | +500 | +600 | +450 | +450 |
| The Underground Railroad | +1200 | +1800 | +1000 | +1000 |
“I May Destroy You” Well Positioned to Pull Off Upset
It is shaping up to be a much more interesting race to win the Best Limited Series Emmy. Already established as Netflix’s biggest scripted limited series to date, The Queen’s Gambit also leads the way as a short +110 favorite at MyBookie to be named Best Limited Series. However, there is no shortage of stiff competition in this category.
Mare of Easttown, a critically acclaimed murder mystery from Apple TV+ closely trails as a +140 bet, while the Marvel hit “WandaVision” sits as an intriguing +600 wager at BetUS. However, sports bettors looking for a legitimate dark horse at this year’s Emmys should not overlook “I May Destroy You”, which sports +300 odds at XBet.
Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You is a story about many things: trauma, consent, the alchemy of the creative process. Through it all, hair sets the mood. https://t.co/BfpA7yeXZU
— Vanity Fair’s Awards Insider (@HWD) July 19, 2021
Featuring a predominantly Black cast, I May Destroy You tells the story of a woman trying to pick up the pieces of her life after being raped. Already a big winner at this year’s British Academy Television Awards, where it won as best Mini-Series, I May Destroy You has not only enjoyed critical acclaim, but is well-positioned to continue the recent trend towards honoring shows created by, and starring, people of color. That also sets the table for Michaela Coel to pull off the upset, and payout as a lengthy +750 bet at BetUS to be named Best Actress in a Limited Series.
The Pick: I May Destroy You (+300)
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you. Learn more about betting strategies by checking out our Entertainment betting guide.
